The scope of the PCMCH is secondary, tertiary and quaternary services, delivered in both community and hospital settings and includes responding to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable communities across Ontario. The work of the Council reflects the importance of relationships among providers and organizations across the continuum of care.

The strength of the PCMCH lies in its collaborative working model. By bringing together multi-disciplinary providers from across the continuum of care, the Council’s work is grounded in frontline experience and expertise, well-tested best practices and consistent and credible evaluation.

PCMCH provides leadership in bringing the maternal newborn child and youth health care sector together to plan and implement health care practice solutions that improve access to and the quality of, health care provided to mothers and children in Ontario.

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

In early January there was a national shortage of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, indicated for the prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum. Since then, there has been a limited supply returned to the market. During a drug shortage, there may be a need to identify and prioritize access. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health collaborated to identify a potential mitigation strategy to support health care providers and patients. It was identified that two algorithms used at London Health Science Centre would support prioritization, screening, and follow up. These tools were adapted for province wide use. The two algorithms are linked below, one on screening and second on response to lab results.

Please
note, these tools are to be used to support health care provider’s assessment
and decision making during the drug shortage. Once
supply of erythromycin is returned to normal stock, routine administration of
the ophthalmic prophylaxis to the eyes of newborns should continue as required
under Regulation 557 Communicable Diseases – General under the Health Promotion
and Protection Act.